SPECIAL REPORTS

REPORT OVERVIEW
Subjects addressed:
A review and description of developing
technologies for acrylic acid production
using renewable feedstocks and new
petroleum-based feedstocks
Description of conventional propylene-based
route to acrylic acid presently in commercial
operation
Economic analysis of the cash cost of
production to produce acrylic acid using
sugar or glycerol feedstock versus
petrochemical sources
Commercial evaluation for acrylic acid,
commodity acrylates, and super absorbent
polymers (SAP)
From Diapers to Paints- Is Bio-Acrylic Acid on The Way?
Acrylic acid and its esters are among the most versatile
monomers for providing performance properties to a
wide variety of polymers. The major application for
acrylic acid is a feedstock for acrylate esters which are
used in applications that include surface coating,
adhesives and sealants, textiles, plastic additives, and
paper treatment.
At the moment, the two-stage oxidation of propylene is
now virtually the only route to crude acrylic acid in
commercial operation. Ongoing developments by major
producers in petroleum-based acrylic acid include those
by Arkema, BASF, and Novomer.
However, in light of global oil prices having reached
unprecedented levels, many acrylic acid producers
and/or licensors are trying to deviate from
petroleum-based feedstocks. Companies such as
Arkema, Cargill/Novozymes, Genomatica, Metabolix,
Nippon Shokubai, and OPX Biotechnologies are
currently involved in research and development
activities in the production of acrylic acid and acrylates
from renewable resources (such as sugar and glycerol)
using biotransformation techniques.
Nexant is undertaking a new multi-client report that will
provide technology and economic analyses for acrylic
acid produced via renewable sources versus
petrochemical sources (including propylene, propane,
and ethylene oxide). The report will also provide an
overview of the technology available for commodity
acrylates and super absorbent polymers (SAP), and
economic comparisons of the production of these from
acrylic acid and bio-acrylic acid.
The report, From Diapers to Paints- Is Bio-Acrylic
Acid on The Way?, will be a comprehensive study
which will investigate, evaluate and compare the
following routes:

Bio-Based Acrylic Acid Technologies:
From lactic acid
From 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HP)
From fumaric acid
From glycerol

Developing Acrylic Acid Petroche`mical Technologies:
From propane
From ethylene oxide

Conventional Acrylic Acid Technologies:
From propylene

Acrylic Acid Production Economics based on:
Renewable feedstocks ( sugar and glycerol)
Petrochemicals (propylene and ethylene oxide)
The study will investigate renewable feedstocks (such as sugar
and glycerol), as well as petroleum-based feedstocks (such as
ethylene oxide, propane, and propylene).
Nexants multi-client report will be of interest to acrylic acid
producers and end-users seeking to move into the world of
renewables, as well as those who may be looking for alternative
uses of renewable resources.
From Diapers to Paints- Is Bio-Acrylic Acid on The Way? will
provide an independent, unbiased assessment on selected acrylic
acid technologies. These assessments will be critical to acrylic
acid producers and investors seeking to enhance their business by
incorporating technologies based on renewable feedstocks.

Nexant

is a proprietary trademark of Nexant, Inc.

Contact: Marisabel Dolan, Senior Analyst, Nexant, Inc.
44 South Broadway, 4th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601-4425
tel: +1 914 609 0342; fax: +1 914 609 0399
email: mdolan@nexant.com

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